In face of cancer, Glen Rock shaved ice stand owner looks to future

Kevin Whipperman found out that he might have to move his stand because of a proposed sports complex

Kevin Whipperman, who is in IV stage cancer, wants to keep running his shaved-ice stand as long as he can. Here, he takes a break recently between customers. (Paul Kuehnel - Daily Record/Sunday News)

Whips Shaved Ice in Springfield Township attracts a crowd. The building was once a water filtration plant for a nearby trailer park before municipal water was piped in. (Paul Kuehnel - Daily Record/Sunday News)

Who knew ice could taste so good? Chances are Mr. Whip has the answer.

Mr. Whip — Kevin Whipperman — is the owner of a shaved ice stand, housed in an odd-looking 12 by 12-foot structure in Glen Rock that draws the crowds of treat-seekers on hot summer days.

His doctors told Whipperman not to work, but he thrives on seeing the smiling faces of children beaming over large cups filled with ice, flavor and cream. Besides, four years ago, the 57-year-old Glen Rock resident was a maintenance worker with no business experience. Now he's living his dream.

Yes, he was diagnosed in March with bone and stage 4 prostate cancer. And around the same time, Whipperman found out that he might have to move his stand after the landowners told him about their plan to build a sports complex there.

But he says he figures what happens next is in God's hands, anyway.

"When someone tells you that you have three years to live, it's tough," Whipperman said matter-of-factly. "To me, it's God's will."

He recalls one small child at the stand asking, "How can Mr. Whip take something so little and turn it into something so great?"

Sweet dreams

Whipperman used to work as a maintenance man at the mobile-home park across the street from his stand, which is next to a large corn field on Glen Valley Road, and the curious standalone structure caught his eye. He asked his boss about the building, which used to be a filtration plant for the trailer park. He read a book about starting your own business and wanted to give it a try. Whipperman remembers as a child growing up in Maryland getting shaved ice from a stand whose owner was able to put four daughters through college on his success.

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Whipperman's boss agreed, and Whips Shaved Ice was born in 2010.

The stand, offering outdoor picnic tables for customers, has 250 flavors, everything from the simple pleasures of cream soda and apple to exotic concoctions like "Toxic Waste" and "Snickers."

Whipperman can also add "sweet cream" — a blend of evaporated and condensed milk — transforming the ice into a creamier treat.

Keeping up with orders on hot days takes some quick moves inside the small stand, and Whipperman can have a treat ready in seconds.

Julie Peyton shaves ice before flavoring is applied at Whips Shaved Ice. Peyton and Kevin Whipperman, who owns the stand, plan to get married in August. Peyton promised to run the business in the future. (Paul Kuehnel - Daily Record/Sunday News)

"If you don't make a mess, you're not making it right," he advised.

Changing times

The shaved-ice stand has been able to thrive with little advertising — there are three small signs stuck in the grass along Glen Valley Road. But all those kids who love the stand need new places to play, and that will mean moving the stand.

Dave Carr, who used to be in charge of Dallastown Cougar Baseball, a youth program, said he is working with Rob and John Barclay to build multiple athletic fields. The Barclay brothers own approximately 13 acres where the stand sits off of Glen Valley Road.

"There's a big need for fields here in the county," Carr said. "This is about trying to get kids out on the field at all levels."

The complex, which Carr is hopeful will be completed by next summer, will be called Springfield Sports Complex. The plans include a 60,000 square foot sports complex (not to be built for a couple of years) and four baseball fields and four soccer and lacrosse fields.

Whips Shaved Ice is right at the home plate of one of those fields, Carr said.

But Rob Barclay, who has known Whipperman for several years, promised Whips Shaved Ice will be a part of the complex.

"The stand would have to be relocated," Barclay said. "However, we've offered to let him re-establish himself in the center of our project."

To ensure the future of the business, Whipperman said he is putting everything in his girlfriend's name.

Whipperman takes 72 base flavors and turns them into over 250 at Whips Shaved Ice. He says he prides himself on not diluting the flavors. (Paul Kuehnel - Daily Record/Sunday News)

Julie Peyton, who is 21 years younger than Whipperman, said he fought for her for a long time before they started dating a few years ago. In August, they plan to get married at Niagara Falls.

And Peyton promised she would keep the stand open after he died.

"I stuck by him and I am sticking by him and I will stick by him," Payton said. "What kind of woman would I be if I left after the diagnosis?"

Whipperman said he has to keep himself busy between hospital visits, and spending time at the stand is great therapy, despite the unpredictable business, which is at the mercy of the weather.

"I got it made perfect here," Whipperman said. "I'm trying to make sure Julie is OK, she's always there for me."